For over a month, Alouette Bus Drivers of the United Steelworkers Local 2020 have been walking the picket line – holding the line not just for themselves, but for their families and their future.
On Friday, that determination was met with a powerful wave of solidarity.
A Day of Action in Sturgeon Falls brought out between 60 to 100 supporters, including teachers, community members and labour allies. For those who have spent weeks in uncertainty, the energy on the line was a reminder of why they continue to fight.
For Julie Larabie, Unit President and a single mother, the strike is deeply personal.
“After a month, it wears on you,” Larabie said. “You’re out there every day, and it’s not easy – especially when you have kids at home depending on you. But seeing the community show up like that, checking in on us, asking how we’re doing – it brought our energy right back up.”
Like many of her co-workers, Larabie is balancing the realities of family life with the risks of being on strike. Choosing to remain on the picket line means sacrificing income today in the hope of securing a better future.
“I’m fighting for a livable wage – not just for me, but for other single parents and families like mine,” she said. “Behind every bus driver is a family that’s feeling this. We want to go back to work, but we need to be paid fairly for the work we do.”
Drivers say they are currently paid below the provincial benchmark and are pushing for wages that reflect the essential role they play in safely transporting students every day.
Local 2020 President Stephanie Gunson said the Day of Action showed just how strong that support has become.
“The solidarity was incredible,” Gunson said. “People were bringing food, supplies, and even offering space for us to gather. Parents are organizing, the community is speaking out – it’s powerful. It shows the employer that we’re not alone in this fight.”
That message was echoed by United Steelworkers District 6 Director Kevon Stewart, who joined workers on the line.
“This is what solidarity looks like,” said Stewart. “These workers are standing up for fair wages and respect on the job – not just for themselves, but for the next generation of workers. When essential workers are forced to fight this hard for basic fairness, it’s a clear sign that something needs to change. Our union will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Local 2020 until they get the deal they deserve.”
As the strike continues, Alouette bus drivers remain united in their message: they are not just “bus drivers” – they are essential workers, parents and community members who deserve to be valued.
And after more than a month on the line, they are still standing strong – together.
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